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A person died Saturday after a Frontier Airlines flight struck them during takeoff at Denver International Airport, forcing pilots to stop the aircraft and evacuate more than 230 people on board.<\/p>\n
Frontier Flight 4345 had started its departure from Denver to Los Angeles when the crew reported that the plane hit someone who was walking on the runway. Air traffic control audio captured the tense moments as the pilot alerted the tower about the emergency.<\/p>\n
\u201cTower, Frontier 4345, we\u2019re stopping on the runway. Uh, we just hit somebody\u2026 we have an engine fire,\u201d\u00a0the pilot\u00a0said\u00a0in audio obtained from ATC.com.<\/p>\n
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The impact triggered a fire in one of the aircraft\u2019s engines. Officials said the person was at least partially pulled into the engine. Firefighters rushed to the runway and put out the flames.<\/p>\n
The Airbus A321 carried 224 passengers and seven crew members. Crews evacuated everyone using emergency slides after smoke started filling parts of the aircraft. Emergency teams later transported passengers back to the terminal by bus.<\/p>\n
Emergency Crews Respond After Runway Collision<\/p>\n
The pilot later told air traffic controllers that conditions inside the aircraft had worsened and the crew needed to act fast.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got smoke on the aircraft, we\u2019re gonna evacuate on the runway,\u201d\u00a0the pilot said over the radio.<\/p>\n
Airport officials and emergency responders moved quickly across the scene as smoke rose from the aircraft. At least one passenger suffered a minor injury during the evacuation, according to officials. Medical teams checked everyone on board as part of standard safety procedures.<\/p>\n
Frontier Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement released after the evacuation.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAs flight 4345 was departing this evening from Denver International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, the aircraft reportedly struck a pedestrian on the runway during takeoff,\u201d\u00a0the airline said.\u00a0\u201cSmoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff. Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution.\u201d<\/p>\n
The airline added that investigators continue to gather details with airport officials and safety authorities.\u00a0\u201cThe Airbus A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members. We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities. We are deeply saddened by this event,\u201d\u00a0Frontier\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
A source familiar with the investigation told ABC News that airport security teams had checked parts of the airport\u2019s east perimeter fence earlier Saturday for possible breaches. The source also said investigators do not believe the person had any connection to nearby runway work.<\/p>\n
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The Denver Police Department said officers are assisting with the investigation but declined to release more details while investigators continue their work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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